La Center student honored with cadet medal

LA CENTER — Oregon Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution honored a La Center resident with its National Defense Silver Outstanding Cadet Medal on July 17 at the Portland Air National Guard base.

Jadon P. Santarpio is a second lieutenant in the Columbia Composite Squadron of the Oregon Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

DAR Oregon Trail Chapter Regent Lisa Harris and Recording Secretary Elizabeth Eden-Maguire attended the squadron meeting to present a certificate, a medal and their congratulations to Santarpio. The medal honors outstanding leadership, honor, courage, service and patriotism.

Santarpio joined the squadron in September 2017. He has earned nine promotions and serves as the squadron’s cadet commander, which means he runs the youth side of the program.

He is currently training with and serving on the squadron’s color guard and trains once a month with the honor guard at the Portland air base. He marched in the Portland Hollywood District Veterans Parade in November and in May helped retire a U.S. flag at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park near the Oregon Zoo.

He was nominated for the award by Capt. Heather Perkins, Columbia commander, and senior member Olga Kosmyna, deputy commander for cadets.